Bedard's Breakdown: Drake Maye, Patriots won't last the season if he keeps leaving the pocket early

Well, I have good and bad news.

Drake Maye The Passer was again ridiculous in the victory over the Titans. It's become old hat at this point to the point we are all expecting this level of play from Maye on a weekly basis, even though that's not fair to a young player. But that's how good he's been. How good? Of the top 14 games this season in completion percentage over expected, Maye has five of them. The only other player with more than one is Jalen Hurts.

That is just absurd, and shows how he's not just doing it with scheme like some other quarterbacks. This shows tight coverage, influence of pressure, and low percentage throws for most of the league, and he's just making them.

The bad news, kind of, for Maye is now that he has performed at this level for multiple weeks, he's established himself as a very good quarterback - at least during this stretch, not that I expect much of a regression, even though the better defensive coaches will study the film and have some better plans to make him uncomfortable. And with that level, we get to nitpick him a little bit on things we normally wouldn't harp on.

This week, it was Maye leaving the pocket early and putting himself in harm's way too often - more than I ever remember. I think we all understand the deal at this point. Maye is lifting up this entire operation. If he misses any time, even a game or two, that could put any postseason hopes — depending on who the Patriots are playing those weeks — so his health is paramount. I'm not talking about putting him in bubble wrap or restricting him to the pocket or anything, just being a little smarter and patient because in many instances against the Titans, Maye had options down the field, often more than one, when he went running and invited some big hits.

Some examples before we get into unit ratings, film analysis from the first two drives, and three up/three down:

First quarter

2-10-TEN 27 (9:28) (Shotgun) D.Maye scrambles up the middle to TEN 16 for 11 yards (L.Sneed)

Maye had Stefon Diggs and Austin Hooper open, but he took off and took a shot on his left thigh.

2-6-TEN 12 (8:13) D.Maye sacked ob at TEN 12 for 0 yards (X.Woods).

Doesn't really take a hit, but he could have thrown quickly to Henry and doesn't. Then he runs out of bounds. I don't know why he doesn't throw these balls away to make sure he avoids a shot. One of these times, he's going to encounter some dirty player who wants to send a message - and perhaps more - when he's toeing the sideline. Maye has a ton of these 0-, 1- or 2-yard sacks on these types of play. He's been "sacked" now 22 times, which is second in the league to Cam Ward (30). But Maye's sacks have gone for just 3.5 yards per sack, the lowest in the league (CJ Stroud leads the league with 9.3 yards per sack). Maye also has the sixth-highest time to sack (5.11 seconds). Put this all together, he's hanging on to the ball a little too long and doesn't throw it away or turf it enough.

Second quarter

1-10-NE 19 (11:43) D.Maye scrambles up the middle to NE 38 for 19 yards (J.Armour-Davis; C.Gray).

Diggs and Mack Hollins are WIDE OPEN, takes a high-low shot at the end of his run. It was great, made a nice open-field move, but slide after picking up the first down.

2-7-TEN 7 (6:22) (Shotgun) D.Maye scrambles left end pushed ob at TEN 3 for 4 yards (C.Barton; Q.Diggs)

This was perfect. He had nothing, was able to get a few yards to make third down more manageable, and didn't take a hit going out of bounds.

1-10-NE 40 (1:48) (Shotgun) D.Maye scrambles up the middle to NE 49 for 9 yards (C.Gray).

Stevenson was open for a checkdown, but at least he slid on this one.

Third quarter

(12:27) D.Maye scrambles right end to TEN 29 for 6 yards (R.McCreary). TEN-L.Sneed was injured during the play. NE-D.Maye was injured during the play.

Hollins is open not once but twice on a route that was a post, but converted to a corner once Maye didn't throw in the first window. Protection was fine. Maye ends up banging his head hard, shakes his head like he got his bell rung, and has to leave the game. By the way, who is allowed to come back after all that after just three plays? Nice player safety, NFL.

2-10-NE 35 (4:40) (Shotgun) D.Maye scrambles left tackle to NE 38 for 3 yards (C.Gray).

Three guys are open, and he's tackled hard low.

Fourth quarter

3-3-NE 47 (13:01) (Shotgun) D.Maye scrambles left end pushed ob at 50 for 3 yards (J.Ward).

There was a blitz with the Patriots leading 31-13, but the protection was fine with Stevenson picking it up. Diggs is open in the middle of the field but Maye leaves the pocket, and does a Flying Wallenda for the first down. Appreciate the hustle, but Maye needs to be more aware of the time and game situation in the future.

Again, this is nitpicking, but I can almost guarantee you the coaches have been harping on this, and I anticipate Maye making quick corrections with this because that's what he's done every single week this season. It's been amazing.

But as Maye goes, so goes the Patriots. He has to take care of himself a little better.

Here are the positional ratings against the Titans:

OFFENSE

Quarterback (3.5 out of 5)

As we've previously laid out ... Drake Maye would be a 5 out of 5 for his passing and his decision-making on passes he actually attempted — especially when you consider the increasing pressure rate he is under (43% overall, 34% when you take his decisions out). But he gets a 1 out of 5 when you factor in the at least four times he left the pocket for no reason with reasonable protection and options in the passing game, and then taking unnecessary hits on those plays. I don't expect him to be perfect in this regard at his age - he'll certainly get better in time - but he's too good from the pocket right now to be taking these hits when he doesn't need to. ... Shoutout to Josh Dobbs for a ridiculous play on third down to keep a TD drive alive in a 4-point game.

Running backs (3.5 out of 5)

Patriots ran on 44% of snaps. ... Rushing yards over expected and expected points added per designed run were second-best to Miami. Rush success rate was second to Carolina. Set season highes with rushes of 5+ yards (13) and 10+ (5). ... Yards before contact (2.53) was best mark of the season (season average is 1.61), and second for yards after contact (a RB and second-level blocking stat) 2.68 (2.43 average). ... Overall the execution was a lot better, and Rhamondre Stevenson ran a bit more relaxed. ... Josh McDaniels and Doug Marrone changed up personnel a bit, using 12 personnel (two tight ends) a season-low 12.5% (season average 30%) as Hunter Henry saw his run blocks go from 26 last week to 12 against the Titans. Not sure if that was just performance-based (he's had some issues), or just trying to lessen the load for a valuable player. ... FB Jack Westover went from about 5 run blocks in the first six games, to 16 (and 19 overall snaps), not that it was all that effective. Patriots used 21 personnel (two backs) on second-high 26.6% of snaps (13.6% average). ... TreVeyon Henderson played a season-low nine snaps (Terrell Jennings had eight) and allowed another QB pressure on one of his two pass blocks. I'm told it was just about Stevenson's hot hand, and Mike Vrabel said as much this week. Henderson will be heard from this season, but the pass pro must improve for him to grab a role.

Receivers (4 out of 5)

Patriots played more 11 personnel (three receivers) in this game (54.7%) than they had since Week 1 (69%), which is by far their best performing grouping with 7.5 yards per play, 60% success rate, six of the nine explosive plays, and three of the four touchdowns. Patriots passed on 71.4% of plays in this grouping. ... I thought they all played great, even in the running game with the blocking as Mack Hollins, Stefon Diggs, Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and even Efton Chism registered at least one plus run block. ... In the pass game, Diggs and Hollins made the biggest impacts but everyone had their moments.

Offensive line (3 out of 5)

Still too much pressure on Maye - which probably leads to him bailing early at times - during this recent stretch of games as Buffalo, Tennessee, Pittsburgh and New Orleans have all been over 40 percent, which is a danger area for a quarterback. Not great with the Browns and Myles Garrett coming to town. ... Morgan Moses had his best game as a Patriot with a clean sheet in the pass game, and three standout run blocks. Mike Onwenu was next, but he still had a unit-high three QB pressures. ... Jared Wilson and Will Campbell had some standout run blocks - Wilson even cleared out the second level on a big run - to offset some pressure issues as Wilson allowed 2.5 sacks. ... Garrett Bradbury was good in the pass game (half sack), but he's still having some issues in the run game. ... Campbell false-started about 3 times that weren't called, including on the Hooper touchdown. And Stevenson moved early, leaned on his TD.

DEFENSE

Defensive line (4 out of 5)

Getting pressure with just four rushers continues to be an issue, but this group was just about flawless when it came to errors with just two minus plays for the entire group. ... K'Lavon Chaisson, Harold Landry, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore and Khyiris Tonga were the headliners, but even the reserves are contributing and playing well during their stints. Another week I don't have much to say about this group, certainly not negatively.

Linebackers (3 out of 5)

It was fine, but this group continues to be picked on in pass coverage, either on the edge (Jahlani Tavai on first play) or in the middle of the field. But the group was solid for the most part, they're just limited. ... Christian Elliss had a knockdown and big kickoff tackle, but had one of the few missed tackles. The Titans' backs did a nice job in blitz pickup for the most part. ... Jack Gibbens played 11 snaps, his fewest since Week 2, and he looked slow out there. ... Marte Mapu was very effective in his 20 snaps, but he's solely a coverage player (18 of those snaps) as a liability in the running game.

Secondary (2.5 out of 5)

Following on the Spencer Rattler game, they made Cam Ward look very effective for a half before they went to more nickel personnel. ... Marcus Jones was great again and is arguably their best defensive player at this point. Christian Gonzalez was solid, but Carlton Davis continues to struggle. ... Patriots played zone on 84.6% of snaps, highest since Week 2 (although the score likely factored in that). ... To become a good defense, I think they're going to have to start playing a lot more straight man, like the Patriots did when Aqib Talib came to town as Bill Belichick shifted from a zone defense to man because the QBs were getting too good. Healthy, Gonzalez, Davis and Jones are all good man cover players. Patriots need to find two more on all downs (Mapu limited to just pass) from Elliss, Gibbens, Hawkins, Woodson and Dugger. Kind of slim pickings and should be a focus at the trade deadline to really unlock this unit, help the pass rush. The zones are just not good enough. Patriots played the most man against Raiders (47% - not good in Week 1) and the Bills (41% - best of the season). Patriots have averaged 30% man to this point this season (102 passer rating allowed overall). Last season they were at 45.3% (96.9 rating). In 2021, Patriots were 43% man and allowed a passer rating of 73.3, the fifth-best mark dating back to 2001. 

THREE UP

Drake Maye, the passer: Had three absolute elite passes to Mack Wilson (22 yards), Kayshon Boutte (TD) and Stefon Diggs (18 yards).

RT Morgan Moses: Only miscue was a poor screen block, but clean sheet otherwise.

DE K'Lavon Chassion: Drove the bus with the pressure for the second-straight week.

THREE DOWN

CB Carlton Davis: Another penalty, fell down once, and allowed three relatively easy catches.

C Garrett Bradbury: I know PFF disagrees with me on this, but I didn't think he was effective in the run game.

Drake Maye, the runner: Hey Franchise, the team needs you playing every game, start to finish. Just tighten it up a little.